Science

Nasa SpaceX launch live: Latest updates as Astronauts prepare to be shot into space from US soil



Nasa and SpaceX are about to make history with the first launch of astronauts from US soil since the end of the Space Shuttle programme.

The launch will see Nasa astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley sent to the International Space Station on board a SpaceX rocket, in a collaboration that could set the tone for the future of space exploration.

It is the first time a private company has sent astronauts into space. And it is the first time Nasa has been able to send its astronauts into space from their home soil, since it has been forced to borrow seats from the Russian space agency to go to the International Spacae Station.


The mission, known as Demo-2, is officially the final test of SpaceX’s craft, the Crew Dragon capsule, which will be mounted on top of one of its Falcon 9 rockets. It is intended to demonstrate that Elon Musk’s space company is able to ferry astronauts up into space and then bring them home again.

Nasa hopes that such collaborations with private companies will help power its ambitious plans for the coming years, which include a return to the Moon as well as planned trips on to Mars.



Oxford astronomer Chris Lintott says you should be able to see the spacecraft from the UK as it flies off to the International Space Station.

Here’s what you need to be looking out for:


SpaceX to become first ever private company to put people in space – beating almost every country

If SpaceX is successful today, it will be the first private company ever to put humans into space. Such a feat has only been achieved by three countries: the US, Russia and China.

The company has been sending cargo to the International Space Station since 2012. But it has said that sending humans is an entirely different proposition.

“It’s a huge step, obviously, going from cargo … to launching two people that are dads as we call them and have families, kids, wives.,” said Hans Koenigsmann, a SpaceX vice president.


‘I will stop in a heartbeat if you want me to’

Yesterday, Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine said from Kennedy Space Center that both the space agency and SpaceX have been diligent about making sure everyone in the launch loop knows they’re free to halt the countdown if there’s a concern.

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected at Kennedy for the planned 4:33 p.m. liftoff, but “our highest priority” will remain the astronauts’ safety, according to Bridenstine.

Bridenstine said he texted the two astronauts Monday and told them, “‘If you want me to stop this thing for any reason, say so. I will stop it in a heartbeat if you want me to.’ They both came back and they said, ‘We’re go for launch.’ “

Hans Koenigsmann, a SpaceX vice president, said Monday evening that he and other company workers have imagined themselves in the astronauts’ shoes on launch day — “or their helmets.”

“That changes the equation pretty dramatically,” he said.
 


Weather looking up

The odds of acceptable launch weather improved Tuesday to 60%. But that didn’t factor in conditions along the Dragon’s route to orbit.

SpaceX needs relatively calm waves and wind up the U.S. and Canadian seaboard and across the North Atlantic to Ireland, in case astronauts Hurley and Behnken need to make an emergency splashdown.

If SpaceX does not launch during Wednesday’s split-second window, the next try would be Saturday.


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Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the SpaceX and Nasa launch this evening. Liftoff is at 9.30pm UK time, or 4.30pm eastern time.

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